Statuette Bêmbé - Beembe - Congo-Brazzaville
05
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10
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 350 - € 400
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Description from the seller
Beembe (Beembé) Statuette
People's Republic of the Congo
Male statuette
Wood relatively light resulting from a long desiccation.
Patina of chestnut color.
Signs of use.
The rattles agitated by the diviner are meant to attract the attention of the spirits of the ancestors in order to convey a request to them.
The crouching position (SONDOMA), creating tension in the legs, refers to a problem requiring immediate action. To distinguish from the standing position with bent knees (FWOKAMA), which is a sign of respect during a request.
Some figures, particularly those of the Beembe of the North-Kongo, show, as here, only the whites of the eyes, the pupils not marked on the small glaze fragment. These are the eyes of the possessed (eyeball turned) allowing access to the invisible world of the departed ancestors. (Cf. Le Geste Kôngo)
Invading the bust in champlevé, scarifications form the tegumentary ornaments characteristic of the Beembe.
Antiquity: 20th century.
Former private collection
Seller's Story
Gallery "artspremiers be"
Richard Dams
Graduate in history,
Former professor of history, art history and aesthetics.
Former cooperator in Congo (Zaire) (teacher of the course on the history of African civilizations, history of art and aesthetics).
Collector since 1971.
Seller since 2007.
Translated by Google TranslateBeembe (Beembé) Statuette
People's Republic of the Congo
Male statuette
Wood relatively light resulting from a long desiccation.
Patina of chestnut color.
Signs of use.
The rattles agitated by the diviner are meant to attract the attention of the spirits of the ancestors in order to convey a request to them.
The crouching position (SONDOMA), creating tension in the legs, refers to a problem requiring immediate action. To distinguish from the standing position with bent knees (FWOKAMA), which is a sign of respect during a request.
Some figures, particularly those of the Beembe of the North-Kongo, show, as here, only the whites of the eyes, the pupils not marked on the small glaze fragment. These are the eyes of the possessed (eyeball turned) allowing access to the invisible world of the departed ancestors. (Cf. Le Geste Kôngo)
Invading the bust in champlevé, scarifications form the tegumentary ornaments characteristic of the Beembe.
Antiquity: 20th century.
Former private collection
Seller's Story
Gallery "artspremiers be"
Richard Dams
Graduate in history,
Former professor of history, art history and aesthetics.
Former cooperator in Congo (Zaire) (teacher of the course on the history of African civilizations, history of art and aesthetics).
Collector since 1971.
Seller since 2007.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Ethnic group/ culture
Beembe
Country of Origin
Congo-Brazzaville
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Statuette Bêmbé
Height
29 cm
Width
14 cm
Weight
534 g
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
